Madonna to return to Malawi 'for adoption'

Madonna to return to Malawi 'for adoption'

MADONNA will return to Malawi to adopt a second child, according to officials in the African nation.

Published 27th March 2009

A year after her adoption of three-year-old David Banda was made official following two years of legal wrangling, the pop superstar is set to travel to the capital Lilongwe.

An official at Malawi's welfare department reveals Madonna has filed adoption papers, and it's rumoured she could appear in court in Lilongwe on Monday (30Mar09).

A spokesperson tells Reuters, "We expect her over the weekend or earlier than that?but without a doubt she is coming before the end of this month."

Banda's father Yohane has also revealed he is expecting a visit from his son, saying, "Someone from (Madonna's charity) Raising Malawi visited me last week and told me that my son may be visiting me sometime next week. I am delighted, I want to see my son."

Madonna herself recently revealed she was "considering" a second adoption from Malawi.

In an interview with a local newspaper, she is quoted as saying, "Many people - especially our Malawian friends - say that David should have a Malawian brother or sister. It's something I have been considering, but would only do if I had the support of the Malawian people and government."

The identity of the child in question has not been confirmed, but she has been linked with a custody bid for three-year-old Mercy James for the past year.

The latest bid is not without controversy and critics have questioned the recently-divorced Madonna's right to adopt as a single parent - which is currently not allowed in Malawi.

Child rights activist John Soo Phiri says, "She will have to prove that as a single parent she still has the abilities to raise another child alone."

Besides Banda, Madonna is mother to eight-year-old son Rocco, from her marriage to director Guy Ritchie, and 12-year-old daughter Lourdes, from her romance with personal trainer Carlos Leon.